The office of the special assistant to President Bola Tinubu on agriculture has flagged off the free distribution of fertiliser for the North East Zone to small-scale groups of farmers in Bauchi.
Speaking yesterday at the flag-off distribution ceremony with over 60 farmers as beneficiaries in Bauchi yesterday, special assistant to the president on agriculture Mr Abiodun Yinusa said the development is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on agriculture and food security.
Mr Abiodun, represented by his personal assistant Buhari Hussaini Bulkachuwa said the aim of the free distribution of the commodity is a deliberate attempt to support, encourage and empower small-scale farmers, especially youth and women, to engage in agriculture to enable the country to achieve its food security programme.
The move also aimed to ensure food security, promote sustainable agriculture, and contribute to the nation’s economic development.
Mr Abiodun Yinusa called on the beneficiaries to use the fertiliser for the purpose they were provided, as the federal government is taking deliberate steps to boost agricultural production and enhance the quality of life for the people.
According to Yinusa, the federal government is aware of the rising cost of farming inputs, and measures are being implemented to tackle the problem.
“This free fertiliser distribution programme by Ahmad Tinubu’s led administration is the first of its kind in the country and is just one aspect of the comprehensive strategy to boost agricultural activities,” he noted.
In their goodwill messages, retired Brigadier General Ladan Yusuf Bauchi and the state’s former commissioner of finance, Alhaji Garba Sarki Akuyam, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the special assistant on agriculture for the gesture and called on other politicians to emulate.
According to them, “The effort of the PA to the special assistant on agriculture, Buhari Hussaini Bulkachuwa, to bring the launch of the free fertiliser distribution to Bauchi is commendable, we urged other politicians to emulate.”
They maintained that bandits and other crimes have been hampering farming operations in the region, hence the need to engage security agencies to curb the ugly trend.
